Anti-viral, antibacterial gown

ABSTRACT

A gown or other apparel, for patient or caregiver, for use in healthcare settings that is chemically treated with anti-viral, antiseptic, and antibacterial solutions. Garments are either pre- or post-conditioned with an aseptic barrier that can reduce the presence of microorganisms in the fibers of the fabric that make up the gown. Non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-harmful agents are imbued into the gown that will safely cover reusable or disposable medical gowns, medical robes, medical socks, medical scrubs and all other medical-related apparel for both pediatric and adult patients.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare facilities timelessly bear witness to the endless scope of bacteria and infections that patients and caregivers experience. Millions of Americans get sick from influenza each year with tens of thousands of patients dying from it. This could perhaps be due in part to many patients having a compromised immune system during their visit or strengthened strands of germs & bacteria. Consequently, patients are now more easily susceptible to contracting infections.

As we all know, year 2020 introduced the world to one of the worst bacteria-based viruses in all of history, the coronavirus, commonly known as COVID-19. COVID-19 is a virus that travels through airborne particles and droplets entering and primarily targeting the body's respiratory system. However, it cannot thrive in an antibacterial, oxygen enhanced atmosphere.

As the world of healthcare's knowledge on the novel coronavirus continues to grow, we become supremely aware of the preventative measures needed to be taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 as well as other infectious illnesses not only for the present but the future. Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) are nosocomial infections contracted through bacterial, fungal, and viral-based pathogens at healthcare facilities. The spread of HAIs and Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) cost hospitals billions of dollars each year and for some patients, their lives.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

With the prevalent existence of COVID-19, HAIs, and other serious bacterial-related illnesses, the transmissibility of bacteria and infection is irrefutably staggering in terms of the numerical possibilities. Its seemingly impossible to prevent such occurrences as an immense population of bacteria, however most nationwide hospitals, administrators, and practitioners are in dire need of a written infection control safety and implementation plan. A plan as such could be emphatically expanded upon via the instant invention.

With COVID-19 and other infectious pathogens we must move away from standard conventions of infection control and towards a more strengthened systemized unit method, breaking down the barricades of bacteria individually. As harmful bacteria and infections continue to persist in healthcare settings worldwide, experts have acknowledged the fact that they have evolved equally with their counterparts.

The instant invention entails disposable and non-disposable hospital garments, namely gowns, scrubs, robes, socks, and other healthcare apparel and linens being treated and conditioned using antiseptic & natural antiseptic, antibacterial agents against all bacteria, infections, and viruses. The antiviral, antibacterial gown's primary objective is to reduce and or completely eradicate the presence of any bacteria on skin tissues and fabrics.

Traditional hospital gowns and other apparel are typically designed to be convenient, serve as a safe, stable barrier between patient and caregiver, and to protect the wearer from infection or the transference of infectious material to others. However, no current means exist in supporting those basic fundamentals.

Infections can spread rapidly yet safety remains healthcare's top priority. Combining antibacterial agents and healthcare apparel & fabrics could possibly provide solid ground in helping to systematically address and resolve serious infection control issues. As the entire species of bacteria continue to evolve, healthcare apparel has remained relatively unchanged, but giving these products a refined method of fighting disease and bacteria would surely reduce and limit their spread altogether.

Standard healthcare apparel are meant to serve a purpose of coverage. However, all apparel can be transformed from a one-dimensional piece of disposable & non-disposable cloth into a two-dimensional mechanism of defense against bacteria and infection with the proper non-harmful non-irritant chemical agents. This will give all of healthcare the ground-breaking advantage we so desperately need to fight further advancements of bacterial epidemics.

The instant invention anticipates medical efficiency via usage of the presence of antibacterial, antimicrobial chemical and natural solutions: antiseptics and natural antiseptics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Antiseptics are antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic disinfecting agents applicable to skin, helping to prevent infection. Its constituents deter the growth and the reproduction or duplication of disease-causing microorganisms. Gentler than normal disinfectants, antiseptics can either completely eliminate bacterial microbes or inhibit the continued spread of them. They are meant to prevent the transference of infectious material from patient to patient or patient to caregiver.

Most antiseptics are mild in nature and contain oxidizing agents that decompose to release oxygen, an essential element that is lethal to bacteria; bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. The antiseptics are also non-irritant, non-harmful, non-toxic, and are safe for both adult and pediatric patients.

Instances of the possible antiviral, antiseptic agents the instant invention could be treated with include the following: Benzoyl Peroxide, Hydrogen Peroxide, Benzethonium Chloride, Povidone Iodine, Zinc Chloride, Alcohol, etc.

Much like regular antiseptics, natural antiseptics are a pure blend of elements that eradicate bacterial microorganism spores on skin. The main difference is that natural antiseptics are herbal-based remedies extracted from medicinal plants. They prove equally effective in preventing the presence of germs on skin cells through their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, natural antiseptics have no side effects, they are non-irritant, and do not impact the immune system overall.

Treatment of healthcare apparel & fabrics with natural antiseptics would produce a more eco-friendly-based solution to the bacterial, infectious dilemmas patients and medical staff are currently facing.

Possible natural antiseptic agents the apparel & fabrics can be treated with include: aloe vera oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, citrus oil, lavender oil, oregano oil, thyme oil, honey, witch hazel, etc. All of the antiseptic essential oils are entirely safe and are more gentle for patient and caregiver skin. In addition to naturally disinfecting the skin, these natural antiseptics double their roles in defending the skin's healing process as they may be used to treat burns, cuts, ulcers, and other external injuries to the body.

In pertinence to the overall treatment of the disposable and non-disposable adult & pediatric medical garments, said fabrics would be placed in a clean and sterile, controlled environment wherein they would undergo a steam-vapor process in specified percentages of the antibacterial, antiviral chemical solutions. The steaming and vaporizing process creates a mist around the fabrics & garments allowing the chemical antiseptic and natural antiseptic compounds to pass through the individual thread of the materials provided.

Once conditioned the fabrics would then be contained for a temporary holding period which would allow them time enough to successfully absorb the antiviral agents for product efficiency. Lastly, the antibacterial gowns would be sent to clinical facilities for usage by patients and medical staff to combat the spread of both bacteria and infection.

Infusing or interchanging the chemical mixtures of normal antiseptics and natural-based antiseptics can lead to a more optimized and solid plan of action to counteract the complexities presently plaguing all of healthcare. The treated fabrics anticipate limited droplet contact transmission of any infectious disease that can be deposited onto items in direct contact with patients and medical staff. 

1. A hospital gown or other medical garment or linens comprising: fabric to assemble the garment wherein said fabric is either pre-treated with non-toxic antiviral or antibacterial agents, including regular and eco-based natural antiseptic agents, or wherein said finished fabric is saturated with said non-toxic antiviral or antibacterial agents prior to usage. 